Lindy Ladybug's Party

If you open this book what will you find?

Why a fun-filled party with bugs of all kind!

Who will be dressed in their very best,

Of hats and bows and glittery vests.

Some will come in dresses of red or blue,

How others will dress I haven’t a clue!

Oh wait! you mean you want to know more?

Then join the party to see what’s in store!

Little Time

In the vast expanse of rural America, a young teen named Yvonne discovers a kindred spirit, a boy who ignites a sense of connection and new emotions within her. As she treads the unfamiliar path of love for the very first time, Yvonne’s journey unfolds, guided by her naive curiosity and limited understanding of what love truly entails.

With each passing day, Yvonne transitions from the innocence of youth to the complexities of adulthood, riding an emotional roller coaster of exhilarating highs and devastating lows. However, as her chosen path becomes more intricate and disheartening, she begins to realize that her heart’s deepest desires remain unfulfilled. Time slips away, and with each passing moment, Yvonne desperately seeks solace and happiness, striving to mend her sorrows before it is too late.

Live and Be Counted

In a poignant and hopeful memoir, Alfons Sperber’s courage, strength and unwavering faith shine through as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit during one of the darkest periods in history. Alfons has rarely spoken about his harrowing experiences during World War II – until now.

When the author’s 11-year old son, Eli, is assigned an immigration project for school, his Papa reaches deep into his past to unearth long-buried memories. Alfons begins to share his personal story with his great-grandson recounting how he came to America in 1948 – a journey that started at a parade in Vienna, Austria in 1938 when he too was just 11 years old.

As they talk regularly over Zoom, Alfons’ memories resurface with increasing clarity, and the depth of his story grows with each conversation as he describes his narrow escapes from the clutches of the Nazis through Vienna, France and Switzerland. In opening up about his past, Papa expresses fear that soon there will be no survivors left to share their experiences, and that the horrors of the Holocaust and stolen childhoods may be reduced to a mere footnote in history. Live and Be Counted stands as a testament to the power of strength and courage, faith and optimism, and above all, the love of family.

Love Bites...Sometimes

Imagine a night out celebrating a friend’s birthday, hopping from bar to bar, when you bump into someone, and not just anyone. The moment you lock eyes, you’re convinced he’s the one. What happens next?

When you encounter him again, would you seize the opportunity, even after discovering he’s not what he seems? He has a secret, cleverly hidden in plain sight. Do you take the plunge into this uncertain romance, or cautiously test the waters?

Fairy-tale love stories are often fraught with obstacles before the ‘happily ever after.’ This is the beginning of my journey with Bryce, a mesmerizing dark brunette with piercing green eyes and a smile that can stop time. Love can bite, and sometimes you want to bite back. But every bite has its price. Are you willing to pay it?

Dive into a love story that’s as thrilling as it is mysterious. The question isn’t just whether love conquers all, but whether you’re willing to pay love’s toll.

Love in a Casa de Carton

Living in a Casa de Carton means facing daily threats of starvation, violence, and predation from the cartels and others who exploit the vulnerable. Yet, within this harsh reality, there is also hope, courage, and triumph. This is the story of Marta Padilla, a strong mother raising two children alone in a home with a dirt floor and no running water. Despite the constant danger, she gets her kids to school and teaches them compassion by caring for a dying neighbor.

When a young girl is abducted by the cartels and a teenage boy endures brutal abuse in a Mexican prison, Marta’s resilience is tested. Unexpected twists and turns lead to moments of victory, as Marta’s determination – and the pivotal role of the dying neighbor – help her family rise above the brutality surrounding them. Though danger is ever-present, grit and love emerge as powerful forces that shape the outcome.

Love, Ruthie

Was the poet, William Wordsworth, right when he wrote “the child is the father of the man”? That is the question Jane Meyer asks Ruth Lucas in a letter. Best friends since high school, and now in their early thirties, Ruth and Jane keep in close touch through letters, phone calls, and when they can, visits.

When Ruth gets Jane’s letter with this question about Wordsworth’s line, she decides to review what stood out in her childhood and ask herself if those times informed and shaped the woman she became. This process takes her weeks and traverses early family memories, her college years, a job in Washington, her first lover, and other experiences on her way to becoming her own woman. Her answer to Jane’s question is Love, Ruthie.

M.A.X.X.

Marie Winterfield founded and directed the S.N.O.W. agency, a group of advanced investigative search and rescue specialists, is world renowned for cracking the toughest cases. When a massive power outage in New York City compromises the FBI, CIA, and NASA; Marie takes on her hardest case ever; taking on a top-secret agency that was believed to be shut down, but has actually gone global, kidnapping, killing, and framing innocent people for crimes they did not commit.

When things get out of hand and people start dying, Marie realizes that even her closest friends and colleagues have been corrupted, and her enemies are everywhere. She isn’t safe at home, at work, she isn’t safe… anywhere. Can Marie stop this group of computer criminal masterminds before it is to late or are they even the real enemy? Hold tight in this nonstop futuristic thriller with all the twists and turns that come with it.

Maddie Makes Ripples

Little Maddie was having a bad day. She fought with her brother Charlie, her mother got upset, even her dog Jasper was sad because no one would play with him after all the ruckus.

Sulking by the riverside Maddie was feeling sorry for herself.

Then along came this strange and wonderful being named Sam, who picked up some pebbles and gave them to Maddie, and some very interesting things began to happen…

Magda by the River

Angela Young’s novel, Magda by the River centers on the captivating journey of Magdalene, known affectionately as Magda. Feeling suffocated by the monotony of her small village life, weary of battling societal expectations, and yearning for acceptance, Magda longs for change. Her life takes an exciting turn when she joins a traveling troupe of performers, where she forges deep friendships that open her eyes to the possibilities and ‘more’ she has been seeking.

However, the most significant journey in Magda’s life is the introspective one. It’s a path that leads her to a profound understanding of her identity and self-acceptance, making Magda by the River not just a story of adventure, but also a tale of personal discovery and growth.

Maggie, the Dog with a Heart: The Adventures of a Jack Russell Terrier Book 3

What’s so special about Maggie? She looks pretty much like most other dogs of her breed with one exception… there are two large black spots on either side of her body that join together to form a heart when she curls up. That’s why she’s also known as ‘the dog with a heart.’

Lessons From Puppyhood is a charming story about a special Jack Russell Terrier puppy who, after being adopted by her forever family, realizes she needs to learn how to become a proper pet. But how? While listening to the family’s children talk about the lessons they learned in school, Maggie wonders if the school teaches ‘pet’ lessons as well. She tries to follow the children as they board the big yellow school bus each morning. But dogs aren’t allowed on the bus… or in school! Everyone needs to learn lessons in life… even dogs. Read this heartwarming story to discover the ‘pet’ lessons Maggie learns that will prove to be useful throughout her lifetime.

Malkin

Malkin tells the story of a small-town girl with big dreams, who believes her aspirations can only be realized in the big city, just a few hours away by train. Despite her humble beginnings, she seizes every opportunity, holding steadfast to her ambition of becoming a ‘Malkin’ in the bustling metropolis. She understands that achieving her dreams comes with a price: giving others what they want in order to attain what she desires.

With unwavering determination, she navigates the challenges and tribulations of her nuclear family and the struggles of her childhood friend. The narrative offers readers a vivid portrayal of how often her dream teetered on the edge of disaster.

Her journey is marked by indomitable courage and a positive mindset, fortified through meditation and gratitude. These elements guide her, acting as her talisman, and show her the path to success. She learns to see things in their true reality, overcoming self-deceptions born from her background, family, environment, and preconceived notions. Perhaps this is what it takes to dream and make that dream come true.

Manifesting Memories

What does a memory look like? Often it will appear personal and sacred because we have created it ourselves with every sensual focus we brought to our experience. Then, we sprinkle our thoughts and perspectives on it. A memory will reconnect us to the past for a  reimagining, a review, and a reframing. It will end up looking very much like who we are.

I hope the stories on these pages will entice you to return home to your own memories. Will you be stirred by how your memories have shaped you? Do they help reveal to you how unique you are? How have you chosen to be in life because of your memories? Reflecting on our memories may reveal how we truly belong to ourselves and to one another.

Enjoy the journey,

 Darlene